OUR FACULTY

John Lee, Head of School

Mr. Lee holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Minnesota (1996) and a B.A. in German from Santa Clara University (1992). He has served the Trinity community since 1996, when he began teaching at Trinity in Minnesota. He and his family came to South Bend in 2010, where has been Head of School and on the faculty at Trinity for more than fifteen years.

Wendy Baxter

Ms. Baxter earned a B.A. in English Literature and French from Redeemer College (1994) and a B.Ed. from University of Toronto (1997). She taught at Sir Robert Borden High-school and Lisgar Collegiate Institute in Ontario before joining the Trinity faculty in 2000.

Stephanie Brake

Mrs. Brake was conferred an M.T.S. in Systematic Theology (2020) and a B.A. in the Program of Liberal Studies from the University of Notre Dame (2018). Her teaching career began at Trinity in Northern Virginia, and in 2023, she joined the faculty in South Bend.

Eric Bugyis

Dr. Bugyis holds B.A. degrees in Religion and Biochemistry from Case Western Reserve (2003), as well as a Master’s degree (2006) and Ph.D. (2013) from Yale in Religious Studies. He comes to Trinity Academy after serving in the Program of Liberal Studies department at the University of Notre Dame as an assistant teaching professor and director of undergraduate studies.

Tess Cassady

Ms. Cassady holds a B.A. in Fine Arts from Indiana University (2011). She joined the Trinity faculty in 2011. In addition to her teaching, she is traditionally trained as a Byzantine iconographer, has illustrated two published books, and specializes in sacred art and commissioned oil works.

Madeleine Cunningham

Ms. Cunningham earned an A.A.S. in Apparel Design and Technologies from Minneapolis Community and Technical College (2021). She has been teaching at Greenlawn since 2022.

Tristan Dooley

Mr. Dooley holds an M.Ed. from the University of Notre Dame (2024) and a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame (2022). He taught at Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Florida, before joining the Trinity faculty in 2024.

Grace Dybing

Ms. Dybing came to Trinity with a B.S.E. in Aerospace Engineering from Western Michigan University (2020) and an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame (2024). She served as an Ivy Tech Community College adjunct engineering technology professor in 2021-2022 and started teaching at Trinity in 2024.

Mike Gionfriddo

Mr. Gionfriddo holds a B.A. in Classics from University of Mary Washington (2010). He began his career with Trinity in 2014.

Alyson Greene, Dean of Girls

Mrs. Greene earned a B.A. in Visual Art and Interior Design from Bethel College (2013). In addition to her work at Trinity, she has serves as an adjunct art professor at Ivy Tech Community College.

Joseph Kwiatkowski

Mr. Kwiatkowski completed graduate studies at Boston College (2018-2020) and Xavier University in New Orleans (2012) and earned a B.A. in Music and Classics from St. Michael's College (2009). He taught at St. Peter School in Huron, Ohio, Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and St. Rita School in Webster, New York before joining the Trinity faculty in 2023.

Shannon Lee

Mrs. Lee holds an M.Ed. from Texas State University (2005), and a B.A. in Marketing from Southwest Texas University (2001). She served Bee Cave Elementary School and Serene Hills Elementary School in Texas, and in private tutoring and enrichment before coming to Trinity in 2023.

Chelsea Mertz

Mrs. Mertz was awarded a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Culture from New St. Andrew’s College in Moscow, Idaho (2009). After graduation, she began her career at Logos School in Moscow, Idaho. In 2013 she joined the faculty at Trinity Academy Portland, Oregon, and has been teaching at Trinity in South Bend since 2021.

Samuel Mertz, College Guidance

Mr. Mertz earned his M.A. in History from Portland State University and a B.A. in History from Holy Cross College (2014). He began teaching at Trinity Academy in Portland, Oregon, in 2014, and has continued by serving the Trinity community in South Bend since 2021.

Patrick Mooney

Dr. Mooney was conferred both a Ph.D. and B.S. in Physics from the University of Notre Dame. His history of teaching began as a postdoctoral associate at Michigan State University, Assistant Professor at Universidad de los Andes, and Professional Specialist at the University of Notre Dame. He joined the Trinity faculty from 1996–2007, and returned in 2012.

Kayla Moscona

Mrs. Moscona holds a B.A. in Spanish, English, and Education from Millsap College (2009), and an M.A. in Theology from New Orleans Notre Dame Theological Seminary (2018). She comes to Trinity Academy after teaching St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge from 2016-2021 and serving in administrative roles with Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge and Acadiana.

Brian Peterson, Dean of Boys

Dr. Peterson holds a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Dayton (2012) and a S.T.M. in Theology (1998) and M.Div. (1997) from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. He earned his B.A. in Philosophy and Religion from St. Olaf College (1993). He came to the Trinity faculty in 2008.

Lynda Seasly

Mrs. Seasly earned a M.H.A. in Health Care Management from the University of Minnesota (1984) and a B.A. in Economics from Wellesley College (1981). She has also completed Connecting Collections' Summer Institutes - Met/MOMA/Guggenheim, 2019 and 2021; NEH grant studying Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie School in the Midwest, 2013; NEH grant studying Skyscrapers in Chicago, 2012; National Gallery of Art grant studying 17th Century Dutch Art, 2006; grants from National Gallery of Art for the study of American art, 1995, 2000. She has been teaching with the Trinity faculty since 1989.

Dennis H. Staffelbach

Mr. Staffelbach was awarded a J.D. (1989) and M.A. (1982) in History from the University of Notre Dame, and a B.A. in History from the University of Hawaii (1980). He also completed a N.E.H. Summer Seminar on Galileo. He first joined the Trinity faculty from 1983-86 and returned again beginning in 1993.

Jonathan Wheeler

Mr. Wheeler earned a M.A. in Classical Studies from Villanova University (2024), M.T.S. from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry (2014), and B.A. in Classics from Saint Michael's College (2010). He taught at St. Jude School, South Bend, prior to coming to Trinity in 2016.

Michael Whitman

Mr. Whitman holds a B.A. in History with a minor in German from Hillsdale College (2019). He joined the faculty at Trinity in 2023.